Hotel Australia (fmr)

Condition

Hotel Australia (fmr), Laverton is overall in fair condition. The roof appears to be in fair to good condition, and the building seems to be structurally sound. The damage from rising damp from lack of gutters, downpipes or ground level drainage is evident on the front and north walls. The timber detailing on the front façade is damaged and weathered and in very poor condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Coach House (Fmr Hotel Australia) a single-storey brick, stucco and corrugated iron building, showing influences of Federation Free Classical style has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • the place represents the fluctuating economic fortunes of the Goldfields and the Laverton area and its changes in population from the late nineteenth century through to the present day (2005); • the place is the only known remaining example of a hotel designed to incorporate an enclosed carriage way; the place has social and historic value to the community for its significant contribution to the historic townscape and character of Laverton, and is one of only a small group of buildings dating from the original development of the town in the early 1900s; • the place was the initial base of operations for prospector Ken Shirley, who was responsible for the discovery of nickel at Mt Windarra in 1969; • the place is rare as a single storey example of a hotel in the Federation Free Classical style, and as a hotel designed in this style in the Goldfields, and is a good example of this type of hotel; • the place has associations with former owner and publican George McOmish, who together with Tom Potts and Harry Dennis discovered gold north-east of Mount Margaret in 1896, which led to the development of mining in the Laverton area; and, • the place is associated with the redevelopment of Laverton in the 1970s after the establishment of the Windarra Nickel Project. The west wing extension, outbuildings and other structures to the rear of the property have no heritage significance. The adjacent transportable buildings are intrusive.

Physical Description

hipped roof clad in corrugated iron. The front of the building faces a treed and grassed area that was once known as Laverton Street, the main street in Laverton. Today this street is known as Laverton Place and no longer functions as a vehicular right-of-way. The rear of the building (western side) backs onto McPherson Place. Two pedestrian right-of-ways are located on the northern and southern sides of the building providing access to Laver Place and the Laverton Swimming Pool, which is located on the eastern side of Laver Place. According to the documentation written in 2006 by Laura Gray, the Coach House had no verandah running across the front of the building although photographs taken by J. Carter in 1975 show the building with a skillion roofed verandah across the front of the building. However, an historic photograph of the building indicates that the building was not originally constructed with a verandah. The front façade features a symmetrical parapet with a central pediment together with moulded details and pilasters. A wide opening at the northern end of the façade provided access for carriages to the rear courtyard of the building. The tuckpointed brickwork has been painted. A wing on the western side of the building was added in the 1970s, together with an ablution block along the south boundary. The western wing replaces what had been the original accommodation block for the building. The building has been divided into two separate shops accessed through double doors at the front. These doors lead into a separate corridor with doors opening off into the two shops. Both shops feature original oregon floorboards and other original features have been retained. The kitchen was refurbished during the 1970s.

History

Assessment 2010 Construction 1901 Alterations/additions: 1970, 1981, 1987 Architect/designer E.W. Robinson Builder: Woodwork: Messrs Judge & Stamp of Malcolm. Brickwork by Mr J Edwards. The burnt bricks were supplied by Messrs baker and Co The discovery of gold at Coolgardie in 1892 lead to further prospecting in the general vicinity. Tom Potts, Harry Dennis and George McOmish discovered gold north-east of Mt Margaret in 1896. Dr Charles Laver assisted the three men to finance the mining venture and also helped to secure finance for other claimants in the area. The town of Laverton was gazetted in 1899 in honour of Dr Laver, to service the mines that had developed around the original discovery. By 1901 the town boasted four hotels that included the Coach House (fmr Australia Hotel), the first permanent hotel to be constructed in brick on Laver Street. The owner, Richard Lancaster, commissioned local architect W.E. Roberston to prepare designs for the building and a number of local contractors supplied various components for the building. The hotel changed hands many times over the years and by the time local postmaster Don Leahy acquired the building in 1966 it had been vacant for some years. During 1968 – 69, mining company Poseidon N.L. had various nickel claims pegged around the area of Mt Windarra. They employed local prospector Ken Shirley to investigate the claims and he used the Coach House as his base of operations. Shirley’s discovery of rich nickel deposits in 1969 saw Poseidon’s share prices rise sharply and led to the development of the Mt Windarra nickel mine in 1974. The resurgence of mining in the area saw Laverton re-born as a mining town as it became the base for mining operations out at Mt Windarra. New accommodation was constructed specifically to house the miners and their families and the additions and refurbishment to the Coach House at this time reflect Laverton’s revival. The Windarra Nickel project closed in 1994 and once again many businesses closed down. The Coach House closed in 2002. In May 2005 (the time of the HCWA assessment), only the residential flat in the west wing was in use.

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Physical Description

A single-storey brick, stucco and corrugated iron building, showing influences of Federation Free Classical style. Includes an enclosed carriageway. The place is a single storey building L-shaped building constructed to the alignment of the original main street Now Laver Place. The front elevation is rendered brick built on a bull nosed plinth. The front elevation has a parapet that conceals hipped roofs with gablet vents. The building's exterior features square pilasters that divide the facade into bays. The pilasters continue to the parapet and are capped with geometric motifs. The central feature is a triangular pediment that emphasises the principal entrance. The window openings are articulated by heavily moulded semi-circular hoods, surrounds and sills. The treatment is repeated around the door openings but with square pilasters that support the hoods are their springing points. A large semi-circular opening at the northern end of the facade accommodated the carriage store, now sealed by cgi. Windows are divided onto three lights, now protected by grilles. It is believed that the principal doorway retains original joinery but with new doors. The interior has; timber floors throughout, except the carriage store which was covered with concrete; pressed metal ceilings with metal roses; plastered walls which retain original vents; and simple arches in the hallway one of which has been partially bricked up. The cellar is an extant. Physical evidence remains of the interior openings. In the 1970's, the carriage store was divided by a brick partition and a chiller room accommodated in therear section. At this time, the interior, north wall of hte carriage room was totally covered with paintings which reflected the mineral exploration of the times, Further alterations were carried out in 1985, when the building was converted from a cafe into a newsagent. Lightweight partitions were installed and the carriage store ceiling was lined. The walls of the carriage store have exposed piping and electrical wiring. In the 1970's, the site was enclosed by rough rendered wall that has a painted mural on the internal face. The rear courtyard has been flood lit and covered with concrete and over the years, used as a recreational space, including rollerskating rink and outdoor function area. In 1986, the place was purchased by catering company Nationwide Food service and converted to a newsagency in the late 1980's. It incorporated agencies for Goldfields Air Services, Westpac, United Credit, Lotto products, Greyhound Bus and Interflora. In 1995, the place was purchased by J Carter following the downsizing of the town when WMC ceased mining operations at Lancefield, Beasley Creek, South Windarra and Windarra. The place operated as a boarding house for a short time during the late 1930s.

History

This building was constructed for Richard Lancaster as the Hotel Australia in 1901 (Laverton Mercury 27/04/1901, p 2). In Twentieth Century Impressions, the hotel is a described as ;"a fine brick structure and completely dwarfs the other edifices in it's vicinity", (Thiel, 1901, p 658). The architect was Mr WE Robertson who spared no expense in designing the building of burnt brick with cement dressings, Contracts were awarded to Mssrs Judge and Stamp for the woodwork and Mr J Edwards for the brickwork. The bricks were made locally by Messrs Baker and Company. The front bar was 18ft x 18ft and features turned pillars with mirror backs. The saloon bar was of similar design but connected to the billiard room (19ft x 24ft) and smoking room. The dining room (19ft x 24ft) had lofty, decorated ceilings. The pantry, storeroom and kitchen were also of considerable size. There were eight bedrooms all 12ft x 10ft, excluding the bridal chamber which was 14ft 12ft and all were furnished in an elaborate style with baths available. A large archway was built of brick and formed part of hte architecture at he front of the hotel and was used for vehicles to access the stables at the rear (Laverton Mercury 27/04/1907 p 2). A few months later, Lancaster completed a large awning at the back of hte hotel which was capable of holding 250 people and it was also lit by acetylen gas. as there was no hall available for public use at this time, this extension with it's own private entrance became a popular place for concerts and the like (Laverton Mercury 24/08/1901, p 2). In January 1902, Clyde Ballantyne purchased the Hotel Australia and this led to a succession of owners over the years (Laverton Mercury 25/01/1902, p 2). Up until 1902, when the railway arrived in Laverton, coaches operated by Cobb & Co. were the main mode of transport to Laverton from the railway at Menzies. The coach company used Hotel Australia as their base and his was probably why the place was renamed Coach House( West Australian;"News of the North", 18/08/1976 p. 8). In 1914, the place stopped being used for the needs of travellers and it suffered further indignation when it was delicensed and closed in 1926-27 (Wises Post Office Directory 1926-27). after that it was used for varying periods, as an aerated water factory, guest house and garage. Then it was left unoccupied for 28 years. In 1968, Mr Ken Shirley (the discoverer of nickel at Mt Windarra) used it as his base. In 1970, Frank and Lil Pearce, with funds by Don Leahy, extensively renoc=vated the run-down building and converted it to a restaurant. Six years later it became a dining room, milk-bar and amusement centre (West Australian;"News of the North 1/08/1976 p.8). Around 1983, it became the Coach Houe Inn until 1995, when it was purchased by Mr Carter and it was converted inot a newsagency and shop (Central Eastern Telephone Directories 1982-1997).

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low Degree Authenticity: Moderate Degree

Condition

Good

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Mt Margaret Mission Hospital (ruin)

Condition

Poor.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The place is significant as an example of the re-use of building int he goldfields.The design of the place is significant in that it adapts the western roof truss and rafter system to create a unique solution to Australia's climatic conditions.

Physical Description

The following information was taken from A Jean, S Goulder and M Bonney "Mt Margaret Mission Hospital: A Conservation Plan", prepared for HCWA and the Mt Margaret (AMOS) Aboriginal Corporation, June 1999. "The existing building was designed like a raised platform onto which two separate huts (45000 x 4000mm) with induvidual ridge roofs were erected, separated by a wide open corridor with an over arching main roof structure. This was supported above the continuation of the roof members of huts beneath, extending past the perimetre walls to form a wide deep encircling verandah." "The internal space of the huts are protected from the fierce heat of the summer by three layers of ceiling and roof material each of which is separated from the other by about 300-500mm all carefully designed to house ventilators to encourage cross and vertical air flow, ensuring the rapid cooling of the area by the end of the day... Likewise the walls consist of two leaves of corrugated iron sheeting attached to a timber frame cooled by a series of wall vents and further protected from the weather by a deep verandah." "... The internal layout of the building was simple in that it consisted of two large rooms on either side of a wide verandah, a women's ward and a general ward. Each room was symmetrically designed with a central fireplace located on the external gable end wall oppposite the entrance door off hte breezeway. Two large casement windows where (sic) placed on the front wall while the rear wall provided access to the bathroom on one side of the enclosed verandah and the little dispensary on the othr side. At some stage a small labour ward was built adjoining the women's ward on the gable end wall located beneath the overhanging roof." Other associated buildings include the Matron's Quarters and outbuildings. The hospital complex was set init's own compound defined by a whire painted timber post and wire fence. Along the southern side there was a line of trees separating the area fromthe rest of the mission settlement, to the west and north the hospital overlooked trees growing in a creek bed.

History

The following information was taken from A Jean, S Goulder and M Bonney "Mt Margaret Mission Hospital: A Conservation Plan", prepared for HCWA and the Mt Margaret (AMOS) Aboriginal Corporation, June 1999. The documentary investigation (in the Conservation Plan) has revealed that the hospital has had only one function and that is as a hospital. This particular type of building design has in the Goldfields been traditionally associated with patient wards. This use was continued at Mt margaret Mission. The rear verandah was partially enclosed for use as a patient's bathroom and dispensary. Asmall labour ward of 3m by 3m wasbuilt onto the women's ward." In 1931, Rod Schenk, Protector of aborigines for the District, purchased the disused hospital complex from the abandoned town of Morgans. When the town had been abandoned, the government dismantled the unused buildings, the galvanised iron was stripped, bundled and sent to Kalgoorlie and the timber framing was sold by tender. Between 1932 and 1936, the building program at Mt Margaret mission was completed. The several building at the hospital complex at Morgans were all transported to Mt Margaret and were re-erected some with different functions such as children's dormitories, the dining room and kitchen block and separate ablution block. The mission hospital building was the only building to continue to be used as a hospital. It appears from a physical site survey that the hospita building material and design is associated with the late 1890's goldfields hospital designs. It is highly probable that this building dates from it's first relocation from Mt Morgan's gold mining town in 1898/1900. The hospital operated between 1936 and 1975. In 1976, the mission was handed back to the Wongi people and Mt Mararet (Aboriginal Movement for Outback Survival) Aboriginal Corporation was formed.

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